Connections are built with time, respect, and trust, not with strategy

Introduce yourself in a few words..

My name is Mariela Balcheva and I am the commercial director at DoubleTree by Hilton Plovdiv Center. I have been working in the tourism and hospitality sector for over 20 years – an industry that has taught me adaptability, attention to detail, and the value of human relationships.

How would you describe your career in a few words?

A beautiful combination of persistence, curiosity, and evolution. A path that was not always linear, but always meaningful.

What was the most important choice that shaped your path?

To stay true to myself and my profession, even in moments when everything seemed uncertain. To embrace opportunities that scare me, because they have helped me grow the most.

What would you like to have known at the beginning of your career, but no one told you?

That success is not a one-time achievement, but a process. And that failures are absolutely normal – they do not define you, but they shape you.

How can a person understand which profession is suitable for them?

When your work brings you energy, even after a long day. When you don’t look at the clock with impatience and feel that what you are doing makes sense. The instinct knows.

Which skills do you think will be key in the next 10 years?

Communication, emotional intelligence, digital literacy, adaptability, and the ability to learn continuously. The world is changing rapidly – a flexible mind is a golden asset.

How to build a network of useful contacts without appearing interested?

By being authentic. People sense when you are sincere. Show interest, ask questions, listen actively. Connections are built with time, respect, and trust – not with strategy.

What is the biggest mistake you have made in your career, and what did you learn from it?

I underestimated myself at the beginning. I allowed fear to dictate my choices. I learned that confidence comes with experience, but belief in oneself should come earlier.

How to recognize a toxic work environment and when is it time to leave?

When there is a lack of respect, when you feel unnoticed and constantly exhausted. Your body and intuition give you signals. You don’t need to sacrifice yourself for a place that doesn’t value you.

What would you do differently if you could start over?

I would start bolder. I would take more risks. But I have no regrets – every stage has taught me something and added a new color to my palette.

How to maintain motivation in times of stagnation?

By returning to the reason why we started. By allowing ourselves a break and a new perspective. Motivation often comes when you give yourself time to stop and breathe.

How to achieve a balance between professional and personal life?

With clear boundaries, with the ability to say "no" and prioritizing what truly matters. Balance is not a perfect equilibrium, but a conscious choice every day.

When is it time to change our career, not just the job?

When we no longer recognize ourselves in what we do. When we lose passion and neither the direction nor the goal inspires us. Changing is not a failure, but a new beginning.

If you had to give just one piece of advice to people seeking success, what would it be?

Discover what brings you meaning and do it with all your heart. Success is not a title, but a feeling.

What is your definition of a “successful career”?

A career that brings you satisfaction, leaves a mark, and allows you to be yourself – without losing yourself along the way.